After a spirited fightback against Stoke City – which ultimately ended in defeat after Butland’s heroics – City are looking to bounce back at a very inconsistent Reading side.

Holden on Reading

Dean Holden has had his say ahead of this afternoon’s encounter:

He said: "We're very much looking forward to it, they're a good team, they've got some decent players in the squad and results have not been great for them this season but we've got to go there and make sure we implement our style on them and hopefully that will lead to a good away day for us.

"We're aiming to continue our performance from that second half against Stoke City. It was everything we want to be in our team, we'll be backed by over 2,000 supporters going over to Reading, it's probably the closest derby the fans will get this season.”

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Toxic Atmosphere

Those Bristol City supporters can expect a slightly toxic atmosphere inside the Madjeski Stadium this afternoon.

Reading have won just one of their previous five matches and currently find themselves 22nd in the league table. Football.London writer Jonathan Low has stated that three points are a must for Reading against City, if Clement is to get any breathing space.

"Clement more than anyone needs the win to ease pressure on himself - anything less than the three points and the atmosphere could become very toxic.”

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Paul Clement ahead of the visit of the Robins

The Reading boss is under big pressure ahead of the visit of Bristol City and the Daily Express are even reporting that Clement has two games to save his job, with Ipswich following the visit of Bristol City.

Clement told Football.London that he is aware of the situation that he finds himself in after a poor start to the season.

"Our communication is open and clear [with the board]. We all know we've got to be doing better. The only way to turn it around is by getting results from the team. If we get a result on Saturday then there's not as much doom and gloom.

Reading manager Paul Clement (Image: 2018 Getty Images)

"It's still not great but it can change really quickly. That has to be the focus for me - I can't worry what people are saying on social media and in the press.

"I focus on getting the results with the players and working with them."

Clement and his team could, however, be boosted by the return of Gambian winger Modou Barrow ahead of this afternoon’s match.

He said: "Minimum he will be in the squad. He was left out for three games - but in effect a week. It has been resolved and I'm very happy about that. He is as well, as are his teammates.”

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Reading vs Bristol City - Preview

Grim accounts released

Bristol City Holdings, the company that owns Bristol City, has published its financial results for the year and it doesn’t make for pleasant viewing from a Robins perspective.

The company has posted losses of £24m for the last financial year, which ended in May 2018, meaning their total losses over the last six years now a staggering £94m - an amount football expert Kieran Maguire described as grim reading.

It is largely in line with what was to be expected after the Robins themselves posted losses of £23.5m - up from £3.5m the previous year.